The road to alang.

[happy daze john in oz]

The cruise industry as a result of the last two years of Virus is changing at a rapid pace.

Within a couple of years from now another 20 or so could go the same way.
The new ones, bigger and better? are running far better on an economical scale.

[Bryan Portwig]

astonishing fact of cruise ships that have gone to the breakers since 2019

scrap cruise ships 2019 to present (1).jpg

scrap cruise ships 2019 to present (2).jpg

scrap cruise ships 2019 to present (3).jpg

scrap cruise ships 2019 to present (4).jpg

scrap cruise ships 2019 to present (5).jpg

[happy daze john in oz]

Some were well past their use by dates and no longer a viable proposition.
The new breed of cruise ships will now meet the changing demands of those who cruise.

Just completed one on the new Sky Princess, commissioned in 2019 but due to the pandemic did not do her maiden voyage until late 2021.
She may well appear as a floating apartment block but inside has all any one could ask for.
At 145,250 tons with accommodation for 3600 bloods and crew of 1750.

There are 9 dinning options and 11 bars, the theater is as god as any first class one ashore.
Cabins are well furnished and the public areas all first class.

Not for all I know, many members will not consider going on one, but it is a very personal choice, we enjoy it.

[Doc Vernon]

Indeed personal choice John, but glad you and her inddors enjoyed as usual, i did however think you were sticking to the smaller Type of Ship , this one seems rather large for you of normal. 3600 Bloods! Thats a lot of Blood to spill LOL

For me though not really my Cuppa, however having said that who knows, one day i may still just decide to go for the laugh!!

Will have to take my Fishing Rod with me though, i would get bored to death!
Just me mate!

Cheers

[Graham Shaw]

# 24.It sounds absolutely awful Vernon.Not for me!
When I go on holiday I do not want to take my whole town with me,then have to spend the first day or two dodging other humans ,with deck plan in hand,checking out and trying the facilities! In any case,as an ex-mariner I would not be able to get the possible scenario of a 4,000 pax and crew evacuation out of my thoughts for long.

[j.sabourn]

Thats what they used to call a busmans holiday .. Graham. JS

[Bryan Portwig]

- i pinched this from somewhere -

poem on new cruise ships.jpg

[Graham Shaw]

Thats what they used to call a busmans holiday .. Graham. JS

Yes,right on JS! Once,I came home after paying off in Rotterdam via Hook of Holland to Harwich on the British Rail overnight ferry St.George.Due to rough weather they had closed the normally late bar earlier so couldn't get a drink and then I discovered that all doors onto the promenade decks were locked due to the weather (!)and I couldn't go on deck to get some fresh air. Sleepless night rolling about with many others in a lounge recliner chair. I felt trapped and wished I could have been on the bridge.
Then on another ferry crossing in 74 on the Ulster Prince ,whilst waiting to take my Mates I did a short coaster trip for Comben Longstaff joining in Belfast. That Liverpool to Belfast overnight crossing had a British Army contingent aboard.Bar was closed,security, tight and as I was a single male occupant in a two berth cabin ,I shared with an army bloke who let on,accidentally I think,that he was allocated the unoccupied berth to keep an eye on me for possibly suspicious terrorist behaviour! Well,it was at the height of The Troubles,I suppose.... I really couldn't have cared less.I just wanted to sleep after travelling all day!

No,I don't like being a passenger.I want to know everything that's going on out there....

[Bryan Portwig]

so the last of the 2 astors has now reached the breakers -pearl 11 x astor was beached 24.07.2022

pearl 11 (2).jpg

pearl 11.jpg

astor to breakers.jpg

astor.jpg

[happy daze john in oz]

Sadly Vernon the days of the smaller ones is long gone.
Princess do not go in for large numbers thankfully, unlike Royal Caribbean who run them now up to 6500 bloods.
But even with all those on board there are plenty of quiet spots to be found.

On this last one we were tow of only three on board from Oz, the majority were from England and Wales.
Average age was about 70 but they al enjoyed them selves in one way or another.